As you develop your film’s distribution plan, you most likely are looking for ways to make the most of your P&A budget. Here are ten actionable, free to low cost marketing strategies, tailored for film, to build audience, awareness, engagement to work into your plan.
1. Leverage Church Networks
Reach out to local church pastors, youth pastors, worship leaders, and church communication teams and invite them to a free screening. Provide a discussion guide, or promotional material to the churches to use. Sometimes pastors will announce your film in services, newsletters, or bulletins.
- Create a one-page flyer or postcard with film highlights and screening info.
- Ask churches to promote via their existing small groups and youth groups.
2. Build and Activate Social Media Ambassadors
Equip your cast, crew, volunteers, and social media followers who are excited about the film.
- Provide them with shareable content: behind-the-scenes photos, inspirational quotes, teaser clips.
- Use Facebook groups, Instagram stories, TikTok and encourage them to share in their own networks.
3. Partner with Faith-Based Organizations and Ministries
Identify ministries and Christian nonprofits whose mission aligns with your film’s message. Propose mutual promotion.
- Offer them to share your film in their newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and email.
- If there are events they host (conferences, retreats), propose showing a clip or trailer.
4. Create a Compelling Trailer and Teasers
A strong trailer or short teaser can make a big impact.
- Partner with an independent editor to cut a trailer.
- Make snippets optimized for social media (vertical videos, short 15-30 second clips).
- Include testimonials or responses from early screenings.
5. Write Articles and Devotionals
Leverage articles, websites, or devotionals that accept guest content.
- Write about themes in your film (faith, redemption, community) rather than just the film itself.
- Include a link or call-to-action to view the trailer or attend a showing.
- Sometimes devotionals will allow a paragraph about the film, tying into spiritual reflection.
6. Use Local Press and Community Media Outlets
Utilize the media: community newspapers, Christian radio stations, podcasts, local TV.
- Send press releases to outlets in the towns where you expect to screen or have producers / cast from.
- Invite them to your set and pre-release period to interview cast, director, or church leaders who support the project.
7. Hold Screening Events
Organize free screenings, watch parties, or virtual viewings.
- Host in a local theater, community center, conferences and events.
- Use online platforms like iScreening Room.
- Build discussion around the screening: have panel or Q&A.
8. Leverage User-Generated Content
Encourage people who see your film early (test audiences, early screenings) to post reviews, photos, reactions.
- Hashtag campaigns: create a hashtag for your film and ask people to share their takeaways.
- Invite people to create content, short video reactions, or social media posts about what the film meant to them.
9. Offer Free Downloadables & Study Guides
Provide additional resources around the film to deepen engagement.
- A study guide for small groups
- Graphics with meaningful quotes from the film.
- Sermon outlines or discussion questions.
10. Tap Into Christian Film Festivals and Events
Submit your films to Christian and other film festivals. Being selected or screened can bring exposure, sometimes reviews, interviews.
- Use festival screening announcements to build momentum.
- Share festival laurels, or “official selection” badges in your marketing materials.